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Statement on Senate Confirmation of Robert M. Gates As Secretary of Defense December 6, 2006 the President's News Conference W

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Statement on Senate Confirmation of Robert M. Gates As Secretary of Defense December 6, 2006 the President's News Conference W Administration of George W. Bush, 2006 / Dec. 7 Statement on Senate Confirmation of Robert M. Gates as Secretary of Defense December 6, 2006 I am pleased the Senate has overwhelm- empowered them to successfully address ingly voted to confirm Dr. Robert Gates complex issues. I am confident that his as the next Secretary of Defense. In his leadership and capabilities will help our confirmation hearing, Dr. Gates dem- country meet its current military challenges onstrated he is an experienced, qualified, and prepare for emerging threats of the and thoughtful man who is well respected 21st century. by members of both parties and is com- I thank Chairman Warner and Ranking mitted to winning the war on terror. Member Levin for leading dignified and Throughout his career, Dr. Gates has trans- constructive hearings, and I thank the Sen- formed the organizations he has led and ate for moving quickly on this nomination. The President’s News Conference With Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom December 7, 2006 President Bush. Thank you all. Please be Security Council. I talked to him about the seated. I just had a good visit with Prime consultations I’m having with the United Minister Tony Blair. I appreciate you com- States Congress. ing back, Mr. Prime Minister. I always We agree that victory in Iraq is impor- enjoy our discussions. And I appreciate tant. It’s important for the Iraqi people; your clear view that we are confronted with it’s important for the security of the United a struggle between moderation and extre- States and Great Britain; and it’s important mism, and this is particularly evident in for the civilized world. We agree that an the broader Middle East. Iraq that can govern itself, defend itself, I talked about my recent trip to Jordan, and sustain itself as an ally on the war where I talked to Prime Minister Maliki. on terror is a noble goal. The Prime Min- I briefed the Prime Minister on my visit ister and I seek a wide range of opinions with His Eminence, Mr. Hakim, one of about how to go forward in Iraq, and I the major political players in Iraq. We dis- appreciate your opinions and your advice. cussed the report I received yesterday from The increase in sectarian attacks we’re the Iraq Study Group, a report chaired by seeing in and around Baghdad are unset- Secretary of State—former Secretary of tling. It has led to much debate in both State James Baker and former Congress- our countries about the nature of the war man Lee Hamilton. I told the Prime Min- that is taking place in Iraq. And it is true ister I thought this was a very constructive report. I appreciated the fact that they laid that Sunni and Shi’a extremists are tar- out a series of recommendations, and geting each other’s innocent civilians and they’re worthy of serious study. I also up- engaging in brutal reprisals. It’s also true dated the Prime Minister on the reviews that forces beyond Iraq’s borders contribute that are being conducted by the Pentagon to this violence. And the Prime Minister and the State Department and our National put it this way, he said, ‘‘The violence is 2153 VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:45 Oct 01, 2010 Jkt 211655 PO 00000 Frm 00841 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\211655A.023 211655A rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with HEARING.
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